EU Chamber of Commerce concerned over political uncertainty in SL

The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL), the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) said yesterday they were gravely concerned about the present political uncertainty and upheaval in the country.

Showery condition to continue

Prevailing showery condition would continue over the island during next few days due to the low level atmospheric disturbance in the Bay of Bengal to the South-east of Sri Lanka, Department of Meteorology said.

SL ranked second in the Global Climate Risk Index 2019

Sri Lanka had been ranked second among the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 20 years since 1998 in the Global Climate Risk Index 2019.

Two suspects nabbed with heroin valued at Rs.2,778mn

A mammoth heroin haul weighing 231.5 kilogrammes valued at more than Rs. 2,778 million--the second largest heroin detection ever made in Sri Lanka--was seized by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officials in the seas off Beruwala on Wednesday night.

TELO wants written commitments from UNP

The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), which is one of the parties aligned with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), asked a written commitment from the United National Party (UNP) to implement the 13th Amendment in full, along with land and Police powers and to merge the North and the East as a condition for support it to form a Government, it is learnt.

UNP to move Confidence Motion on RW

The United National Party (UNP) would move a confidence motion pledging solidarity with its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to become the Prime Minister on December 12, it is learnt.

Motion for new PM postponed

The motion calling President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint a new Prime Minister, which was to be taken up in Parliament was postponed yesterday because of legal issues and because of the opinion of the JVP, that such a motion was not a necessity.

Public debate on political impasse

A public debate on whether a presidential or parliamentary election is the best solution to the current political crisis was held last evening at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre.

Ranil stresses need to establish new Parliament

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stressed the need to establish a new Parliament, scrapping the Executive Presidency through a referendum.

SC has no jurisdiction on President’s Proclamation: AG

The Attorney General yesterday (5) emphasized that the Supreme Court is precluded from exercising jurisdiction in respect of the alleged violations of petitioners’ Fundamental Rights and from granting the relief prayed for by the petitioner and that it has no jurisdiction on the President’s proclamation of dissolution of Parliament.

Man shot dead in Mt. Lavinia

A 30-year-old man was shot dead in Kaldemulla Junction, Mount Lavinia a short while ago, Police said.

Disclose UNP-TNA agreement: Gammanpila

The United National Party (UNP) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should reveal any agreement between them which had compelled the TNA to back the UNP, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Civic rights could be stripped from Prez: JVP

Not only an impeachment brought against President Maithripala Sirisena but his civic rights also could be stripped, as he had violated the Constitution on several occasions, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

Will amend 19A: Lakshman Yapa

The 19th Amendment which was the initial cause for the prevailing political turmoil would be amended when they were elected to office, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said today.

Piyasena machang, waren Chandeta: Geetha

Former MP Geetha Kumarasinghe yesterday accused MP Piyasena Gamage, who has sworn in to fill the vacant position left by her in Parliament, of not allowing her to work at least a month in her constituency.

SLBC, media ministry assure unbiased coverage: Speaker’s office

Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLMC) Dr. Somarathna Dissanayake and Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Sunil Hettiarachchi have assured that steps would be taken to provide an unbiased coverage of parliamentary sittings and the current political crisis, Speaker’s Office said.    

CDS released on conditional bail

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who was in remand custody, was released on conditional bail by Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

Make mental check Constitutional: SF

MP-Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today proposed that an amendment should be brought in to the Constitution making it compulsory for the Head of State, service chiefs and others who hold important posts in a Government to go through a mental fitness test annually.

Prez said if pushed to wall, he will resign & make speech to nation, go back to Polonnaruwa: Mano

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he would resign from Presidency after making a State of the Nation Address if he was pushed to the wall, MP Mano Ganeshan said.  

RTI Commission orders disclosure of RW’s assets as PM

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has directed the Presidential Secretariat to disclose the declaration of assets and liabilities of Ranil Wickremesinghe in his role as Prime Minister for 2015 and 2016, the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said on Wednesday.

Tangalle UC budget defeated

The budget of the Tangalle Urban Council for 2019, has been defeated by three votes.

Navy Sampath’ further remanded

Former Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath was further remanded till December 5 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. He was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of eleven youths in 2008 and 2009.

Nalaka De Silva re-remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Nalaka de Silva was further remanded till December 11 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Parliament adjourned until Dec 12

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today adjourned parliament session till 1.00 pm on December 12. The today’s session commenced without the participation of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs.

Parliament session begins sans UPFA

The today’s parliament session commenced a short while ago without the participation of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs.

SC resumes hearing of petitions: AG makes submissions

The hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions filed against the dissolution of parliament commenced for the second day today in the Supreme Court a short while ago.

World's first baby born via womb transplant from dead donor

A woman in Brazil who received a womb transplanted from a deceased donor has given birth to a baby girl in the first successful case of its kind, doctors reported.

Constitution not clay in hands of contesting parties: Counsel

President’s Counsel K. Kanag Iswaran said yesterday the Constitution was not clay in the hands of contesting parties to be moulded as he or she sees fit while the constitutional language sets the limits of interpretation which aspires to give constitutional unity and harmony.

Concessions hampered due to stay order: Bandula

A number of cabinet papers were to be presented yesterday (4) in order to provide concessions to the public but the process got hampered due to the stay order issued by the court, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.

Journalists' movements restricted in WPC gallery

The journalists who are reporting on the proceedings in the Western Provincial Council (WPC) were restricted to one area within the council chamber’s gallery today.